The Proclamation of Victory – 1 Peter 3 and the Reclaiming of the Nations
Let's be honest, there is some weird stuff in the Bible! 1 Peter 3 is no exception. Here we find mysterious yet powerful statement inverse 19. It says there Jesus "he also went and made proclamation to the spirits in prison" ... wait, what?
This is not random detail (though it is highly debated), but if you take a step back and look at it through the lens of Deuteronomy 32, it takes on breathtaking clarity!
After the rebellion at Babel, God disinherited the nations and gave them over to be ruled by "lesser elohim", we would commonly call angels (Deut. 32:8-9), even though 'angel' is more a statement of job function (messenger) than it is a type of being. (NOTE: Some translations say they were divided according to the number of the "sons of Israel" and that they were Israeli kings. The ESV has a better translation of "according to the number of the sons of God". We get this clarity from the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, older manuscripts, and the Septuagint's use of 'theos', meaning God, not Israel)
Then, God chose and called Abram (Abraham) and took Israel to be his portion of the inheritance. This set in motion a plan of restoration which would ultimately reclaim every nation through Jesus, the Messiah.
The cross, resurrection, and ascension aren't just about personal salvation, they are literally a declaration of war and defeat of the powers that have held the nations captive.
When Peter says Jesus made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits, he’s not describing an evangelism tour—he’s describing a victory speech! The risen Christ announces to the rebellious powers that their rule is broken. The dominion they were given after Babel is over and authority has been reclaimed by the rightful King, Jesus!
For us, this means our faith, and subsequent salvation, is larger than our personal story—it’s part of God’s cosmic restoration project. Every time the gospel crosses borders, pierces darkness, illuminates hearts, or transforms lives, the proclamation continues: Jesus reigns supreme!
We aren't merely sharing good news—we are participants in God reclaiming what was once lost through rebellion and sin. And when the world feels spiritually heavy, full of unseen resistance and ancient lies, remember this: the announcement of victory has already been made.
The war has been won.
Our mission now is simply to walk out the victory—bearing witness, in word and deed, that the crucified and risen Christ is Lord of every nation and every soul to His praise and Glory.
Maranatha!
This is not random detail (though it is highly debated), but if you take a step back and look at it through the lens of Deuteronomy 32, it takes on breathtaking clarity!
After the rebellion at Babel, God disinherited the nations and gave them over to be ruled by "lesser elohim", we would commonly call angels (Deut. 32:8-9), even though 'angel' is more a statement of job function (messenger) than it is a type of being. (NOTE: Some translations say they were divided according to the number of the "sons of Israel" and that they were Israeli kings. The ESV has a better translation of "according to the number of the sons of God". We get this clarity from the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, older manuscripts, and the Septuagint's use of 'theos', meaning God, not Israel)
Then, God chose and called Abram (Abraham) and took Israel to be his portion of the inheritance. This set in motion a plan of restoration which would ultimately reclaim every nation through Jesus, the Messiah.
The cross, resurrection, and ascension aren't just about personal salvation, they are literally a declaration of war and defeat of the powers that have held the nations captive.
When Peter says Jesus made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits, he’s not describing an evangelism tour—he’s describing a victory speech! The risen Christ announces to the rebellious powers that their rule is broken. The dominion they were given after Babel is over and authority has been reclaimed by the rightful King, Jesus!
For us, this means our faith, and subsequent salvation, is larger than our personal story—it’s part of God’s cosmic restoration project. Every time the gospel crosses borders, pierces darkness, illuminates hearts, or transforms lives, the proclamation continues: Jesus reigns supreme!
We aren't merely sharing good news—we are participants in God reclaiming what was once lost through rebellion and sin. And when the world feels spiritually heavy, full of unseen resistance and ancient lies, remember this: the announcement of victory has already been made.
The war has been won.
Our mission now is simply to walk out the victory—bearing witness, in word and deed, that the crucified and risen Christ is Lord of every nation and every soul to His praise and Glory.
Maranatha!
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3 Comments
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Um, guess the system doesnt like emojis. I used a "mind blown " emoji. Thanks Matt. That's awesome
Wow! I love this! Thank you! ??